Leaving the night market, they strolled along the seaside promenade. The cool sea breeze ruffled her hair, strands playfully wrapping around his fingers as he held her shoulder.

Feeling a craving for something sweet, Yan Zhen bought an ice cream. As Chen Huaixu paid, she spotted an open-air sightseeing trolley. Excitedly, she tugged at his sleeve. "Chen Huaixu! I want to ride that!"

They hurried towards the trolley stop, ice cream in hand, bought tickets, and sat in the back row.

As the trolley trundled along, Yan Zhen leaned against Chen Huaixu, contentedly watching the billboards pass by.

She was licking her ice cream when she noticed him pull something from his pocket and examine it.

"What's that?" It looked familiar.

"The vendor at the night market gave it to me," he said, looking at the simple red string bracelet. He remembered the enthusiastic vendor insisting he take it, claiming it was a charm for romantic fate, guaranteeing they'd stay together forever.

Chen Huaixu was never one for superstitions, but somehow, he'd kept the bracelet.

Now, he looped the ends of the string around her neck.

Yan Zhen looked at him, puzzled. "What are you doing? This isn't for wearing around the neck, is it?"

He wiped a smudge of ice cream from her lip and chuckled. "I have a gift for you, but I didn't bring it with me. This will do for now."

"Oh," she said, glancing down at the red string. "Why are you giving me a gift? My birthday is still ages away."

He lightly flicked her forehead. "I have too much money. It's burning a hole in my pocket. Is that okay?"

She covered her forehead with her free hand, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling in the night as she playfully glared at him.

He gazed at her, his heart overflowing with affection. He couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her.

Caught off guard, Yan Zhen exclaimed, "Don't... there are so many people! And my ice cream... it's melting! Mmm... you... hmm..."

Someone in the front turned around, gasping, and soon the entire trolley's attention was on them. People smiled knowingly, some even clapping and cheering, urging them to kiss longer.

In the cool night breeze, on the sightseeing trolley, under the watchful eyes of strangers, they embraced and kissed. The melting ice cream, sweet and creamy, coated their tongues, the sweetness seeping into their hearts. Each heartbeat thrummed through their bodies, an undeniable yearning for closer intimacy.

Just like a couple truly in love.